River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-10-13
LINDA's STORY.


make hero Of himself. while /. hi:
sister, Justly proud Of the dear fellow
can draw his character with bold truth
full strokes.
Three months ago. Armand came to
our home; it was our first meeting since
RolIo and / We're married. and came
here to Westlake to live. | was pleased
to see that four years Of travel had
made no change in the gay-hesrted, up
right man: for when a youth his light,
easy going ways and love Of pleasure
had caused many a dubious shake o
heads, and a few unpleasant predictions.
Resides, Armand is very handsome.
But he came to rs unspoiled BY
Hatterv and adulati0n, free from any Of
the petty vices that so often fasten
themselves upon characters Of his type.
You are the same old Armand"
said to him one day. Whatever your
experiences have been, they have left
no impression upon YOU"
because they were not sufficiently
serious. he answered. with smile
that displayed beneath the heavy brown
mustachearow Of glistening white teeth.
i have been the victim Of no con
.piracies. the hero Of no adventures, |
have not lost a fortune. nor made one,
nor have | been disappointed in love. !"
His last words started my thoughts
in new direction.
Il wonder why you have never mar
ried, | said. abruptly.
so do |, he replied.
NO; seriously. Armand. have YOU
never thought Of it? Have you met
with no one whom You could care for?'
Il have met no one whom | did care
for
And vet the women admire you so
much, | said, musingly, but Armand
sprung up and walked to the window.
ooh, come. now. he said, protest
ingly Lets change tie subject.
What building is that in the hollow-it
looks like a deserted castle
!. Ii is Avon Hall-and Is indeed de-
serted ~ T. master. Mr.. Roger
AyerIey has been abroad five years, but
the old hou~ekeeper lives there with
her niece. Say. Armand. with sud
den inspiration. would YOU not like to
- through the portrait gallery Mrs.
Ellis viii admit u at any time.
I'VE viii 20 At once. answered Ar
mand. promptly 80 il CHANGED that
an hour later we were wandering
through the long, somber gallery.
where canvas representatives of the
dead aud gone Ayerlcys looked down
upon M from every side.
The sunlight struggled in through
the thick ambcr-tinted glass of the
wide window, and cast a warm, ra-
diant glow on the painted faces that
Viyiiied them into seeming life.
"By Joye, the Averleys were a hand
some race exclaimed Armand; and
then be paused before one portrait that,
hanging in recess. had been hitherto
unuoticed.
II was that Of a Young girl IN a quaint,
hrocaIed gown, with the ieweled bodice
fashioned ID reveal the beautiful white
shoulder, and rounded arms.
Through the high mass Of waving
golden hair were drawn strings of
bIoud-red rubies, and gir,IIe Of the
same brilliant stones encircled the
slender waist.
\ beautiful. graceful figure. but the
chief charm # the portrait lay in the
deep soulful expression Of the brown
eyes, ami sweet. tender curves Of the
rel lips.
The naughty Averley spirit was hid
elem here-all was grace and tender
ness. and soft. appealing beauty.
Marian Lee Averley-f792. read
Armand. and then he stood silent. with
4 look iii his ewes | had never seen sum
moned there by any vision of living
IovcliHeSs.
/ walked round the gallery. and
came back again: there he stood with
that rapt look on his face.
Armand. | said laughingly. ..you
are falling in love with Roger Ayerley' ;
grandmother
IIc smiled as he turned away, but
looked back again 1t that far. girlish
face.
IF the original Of that portrait were
living now ! would lay my heart At
her feet. he said seriously. That j.
my ideal Of feminine beauty, Linda. /
wish | had not seen it, Ii makes me
sad to think that all that grace and
beauty has been hidden for wears under
the sod.
nth A,.,,,,., r.. 1 ,x-oTa5,,,sl n,
surprised liz this strange mood; but he
only shook his head. and walked
thoughtfully on.
We strollcd about tin after sunset.
R0lIo would not be home till late
that evening. - we took ten with 4
neighbour. and il was past nine ere we
reached the cottage.
1t was 4 starry night, but the path
leading 10 the door was hordered with
tree, that cast deep shadow.
Near the steps Of the piazza my foot
struck some obstacle. and | almost
fell forward.
Bending down. I saw that dark
figure lay there.a caught Armand :
hand In alarm.
..Ouen the door Linda he saii;and.
As broad ray of light shot out over
the threshold. | saw him stoop and
raise tie PROSTATE form in his arms.
Gently he bore it into the coy sitting
room. and n nc laid it upon the
lounge. We saw that it was the form OF
ayoung girl.
The lamplight revealed = face Of
deathly pallor. bur the heart was beat
ing family; and. A. | chafed the cold
hands, | saw the dropping lids CULVER.
| Looked down upon the delicate fea-
tnreS and disheveled mass of light hair.
Armand | said suddenly. "thi>
strangers face i not unfamiliar II
resembles the portrait Of Marian Lee
Arerley.
There i shade of resemblance. :
he said. coming nearer. Il wonder who
She i. IL the way. Linda. has Roger
Averley any intention Of returning L
Avon Hale
II don't know. I'm sure. | answer
ed. turning again TO my charge.
| was startled 10 meet the intens,
gaze # a pair Of dark ewes.
..Oh. you re alive" | exclaimed. no
realizing tile abSur,iity Of my query. til
Armand broke into a merry laugh
which the stranger answered By ;